Which Undergraduate Biology Majors and Tracks Does FSU Offer?

Updated

The FSU Department of Biological Science offers three undergraduate majors—Biological Science, Computational Biology, and Cell and Molecular Neuroscience—plus a Biology FSU-Teach option for future teachers. The Biological Science major is the broadest and contains several named tracks, so your first decision is whether you want a general biology degree with a specialization or one of the two more focused majors. The department's site links each major to its own description, academic map, and advising resources, which is where you should confirm current requirements.

The Majors at a Glance

Major What it is for Where to start on the site
Biological Science General biology degree; choose a track within the major Major description, "Tracks in the Major," Academic Map
Computational Biology Biology combined with computational and quantitative work Major description, Academic Map
Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Neuroscience grounded in cell and molecular biology Major description, Academic Map
Biology FSU-Teach Biology path for students preparing to teach General information, Academic Map

The department describes biology as a unified field best understood by examining how molecular through ecosystem levels function, interact, and evolve. That framing is a useful guide: the general major gives you the widest exposure across those levels, while Computational Biology and Cell and Molecular Neuroscience push you earlier into a specific set of skills.

Choosing Within the Biological Science Major

The Biological Science major is the one that requires a second decision, because it lists specific tracks. The site presents the major description and the track list as separate pages, followed by an academic map. Use them in that order:

  1. Read the major description to confirm the degree fits your goals.
  2. Read "Tracks in the Major" and note which track matches your interests.
  3. Open the academic map for a term-by-term sample schedule.
  4. Check the Bulletin for official course descriptions before registering.

The academic map is a planning sample, not a contract; the Bulletin is the authoritative source for course content and requirements. If the track descriptions leave you unsure, the Undergraduate Advising Directory and the department's FAQ page are the next stops.

How to Verify Requirements Before You Commit

Requirements and course lists change, and the department routes official details through specific pages rather than a single summary. Before making a decision:

  • Course descriptions: use the Bulletin for Course Descriptions linked from the undergraduate menu.
  • Program rules: consult the Undergraduate Handbook.
  • Advising: contact the advisors listed in the Undergraduate Advising Directory; the site also provides a Request Information form.
  • Prospective students: the FSU Admissions Portal handles application questions, which the department site does not.

Beyond the Classroom

The undergraduate pages also point to scholarships (including the Sheila B. Lutz Memorial Scholarship), undergraduate research, undergraduate teaching opportunities, student organizations, and research and job opportunities. These are worth reviewing alongside the major pages, since research experience and scholarships can shape which track or major suits you. The department also highlights a Biology in London Program and a Biology in Action! feature, both listed in the site navigation.

A Practical Next Step

If you are undecided, start with Biological Science and its track list, because it keeps the most options open while you sample coursework. If you already know you want quantitative or computational work, or a neuroscience focus, go directly to those major pages and their academic maps. In every case, confirm the final requirements with an undergraduate advisor and the Bulletin rather than relying on the website's summaries alone.